The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-29
THE NATURAL-GAs SITUATION.

There is great deal of feeling in the COM
munity on the natural-gas question, and the
air is as full of schemes and rumors as when
the craze WAS at it's height several months ago.
Then gas was going to be brought into the
city by town meeting before morning A
year or more has passed, and gas it not here
yet. Then the present ordinance was en-
acted and the mouths of some people and the
columns of some newspapers-were filled with
figures demonstrating that at least 100 per
cent. profit awaited any body or company that
would bring gas to the city under its terms.
Nearly year has elapsed, but capital, that
would be glad of sure return of 10 per cent,
has not rushed into this promising field; gas
is not here yet. Now there are a multitude
of new plans, and the same mouths and the
same papers that were filled with the east
wind before, are again inflated, and proclaim
that tremendous fortunes within the grasp
of anybody who will reach out their hands to
take them. The net result Of all the agitation
is that one little company, with tin bucket
full of gas, has raked and scraped together
the city of indianapolis with gas, and another
has proposed to turn over what it may have to
a voluntary trust. This is the extent of the
latest movements on the gas question. One
newspaper that has demonstrated the immense
profits in gas under the present ordinance to
the satisfaction of everybody but those who
have money and the gas, or who can get it,
now announces that the time has passed to
talk of any change whatever in the present
ordinance, because public opinion has grown
beyond that point" A few days ago it thought
certain changes were necessary and should be
made, but now gas is to be introduced by
'public opinion" And so it goes; gas does
not come and will not come and the good
name of the city is made sport of, and its
prosperity trified with-that is, if natural gas
would conduce to its welfare But we pre-
sumo the craze or crazes will have to run
their course before an intelligent and honest
effort can be made, by business in a
business way, to solve the question by the
amendmentof the present ordinance, so that
some company with the ability and the pur-
pose to furnish natural gas as business will
be willing to risk its money in the enterprise.
These amendments should be made on the
basis of no monopoly of the streets, leaving
them open to any company or person. and
with all other proper restrictions that will
protect the interests of the city and its cti-
zens, preserve them from monopoly of any
kind, and give them gas at the lowest posi-
bic rates, and with due and proper safeguards
for supply and safety. The Journal has
always advocated that sort of policy in the
treatment of the natural-gas question, and
will continue to do so without any special
regard for the company person that can
meet the demands. We want gas, no matter
who brings it. But, as we have said, it may
be necessary to allow the entire winter to be
frittered away in nonsense. and permit those
who are working for and in the interest of
the coal ring to get in their perfect work.
The people will get to their sober second
thought before long. and then those who have
been playing with them and helping to line
the pockets of the coal kings will wish they
had never been born.